All Things Created Good

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31 NLV).

Let the godly sing with joy to the LORD, for it is fitting to praise him. Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing new songs of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy. For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth. The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Let everyone in the world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command. The LORD shatters the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the LORD's plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. (Psalm 33:1-11 NLV).

While I have had some question about the truth that everything God has created is good (like snakes – I hate ‘em), the Scripture clearly teaches that all of creation is a part of God’s good plan. And, the more we understand the complexity of nature, the more this truth is proven.

As an example, look at the monarch butterfly. Like migratory birds, monarch butterflies have the ability to fly long distances, escaping winter cold and the absence of food. Decreasing day length and cooler temperatures tell monarchs that emerge in the early fall not to breed. Instead they begin the immense journey across North America, over unfamiliar terrain, funneling through Texas, to nine high mountain sites in fir forests of central Mexico. They arrive at the overwintering areas in November, remaining there until March of the following spring. Then they return to Texas and the southern United States to lay eggs on freshly sprouted milkweeds. By late spring, most have left the Gulf coastal states and are breeding further north. By the beginning of June they have reached the northern U.S. and Canada where they continue to breed all summer. Most interesting is the fact that they choose only the milkweed plant to lay their eggs on. The larvae when hatching will eat the plants and kill them, thus reducing the spread of this plant which is poisonous to cattle.

It is all a part of God’s natural plan for His creation. Just as David reminded us in the psalm today, all of God’s creation is intended to be good and has order within it. God created a plan for everything. I have found great comfort in that truth in my life. When I begin to think that life is unraveling and panic begins to creep into my psyche I only need to recall the truth of God’s plan for me. I only need to trust Him. A tiny girl was taking a long journey and in the course of the day her train was obliged to cross a number of rivers. The water seen in advance always awakened doubts and fears in the child. She did not understand how it could safely be crossed. As they drew near the river, however, a bridge appeared, and furnished the way over. Several times the same thing happened, and finally the child leaned back with a long breath of relief and confidence: "Somebody has put bridges for us all the way!" she said in trusting content. That is how we find it in life, God has built bridges for us all the way. When you see the butterflies, remember the goodness of God’s plan and trust in Him. He will not disappoint you.